FWD Partners with Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum Partners with Freshwater Digital to Enhance an Iconic Artifact with an Interactive Digital Experience

The main hall of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s downtown Van Andel Museum Center, one of the area’s largest and most popular tourist destinations, recently became much brighter and more entertaining with the installation of new and interactive high definition video displays for the iconic Finny the fin whale skeleton artifact.

The Museum selected Freshwater Digital as their digital signage and media production company for the artifact upgrade. Freshwater deployed two 75” LG Ultra HD UH5C Series displays with TSi infrared touch overlays. Visitors interact with the touchscreens to learn more about the Finny artifact and fin whales in general. Freshwater designed and developed a content experience that allows users to explore the history of Finny, how the skeleton came to the Museum and see images of Finny throughout history. ComQi players power the content.

“Using technology to enhance our experiences here at the Museum is one of our priorities,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the GRPM. “Creating an interactive artifact for one of our most iconic artifacts allows to visitors to learn more about it from a scientific and historical perspective, while adding a new dimension to visitor trips to the Museum.”

Freshwater Digital accepted the challenge with enthusiasm. “It’s been a privilege to partner with the GRPM on the Finny project. The display has been an iconic piece of Grand Rapids culture for years and we hope the new digital experience will further enhance the artifact and inspire the public as much as it inspired our team that worked on the project,” said Matt Downey, President of Freshwater Digital.